Carrickfergus Castle

Carrickfergus Castle is a twelfth century castle built about 11 miles north of Belfast on Belfast Lough in Antrim, Northern Ireland. It has a colourful and violent history as it was built in a strategic place.

The original castle consisted of a bailey, a great hall and an inner wall, along with some outbuildings surrounded by a curtain wall to protect it from the sea. This was originally built by John de Courcy in 1177 and used as his headquarters until 1204 when he was ousted by Hugh de Lacy.

Hugh de Lacy made some improvements to the castle by building a higher curtain wall for better protection from the sea. He also added a portcullis and a vault, completing these by 1250. Hugh de Lacy had been attacked by soldiers of King John in 1210, and was expelled while the castle came under royal authority. Hugh de Lacy received back the earldom of Ulster and the castle in 1227.

In 1315, Edward the Bruce, brother to Robert the Bruce, laid siege to the castle which lasted for three years. When Edward was defeated in Meath, three years later, the retreating Scots laid waste to the land in and around Carrickfergus. The area was razed twice more, in 1386 and 1402 with much of the original town being destroyed.

The sixteenth century saw some more battles involving Carrickfergus for supremacy, 1575, 1577, and 1597 when the governor, John Chichester, was killed. Two years after this, Chichester’s brother, Arthur, became governor of the castle and was successful in bringing in English and Lowland Scots to live and work in the area.

In 1641, Carrickfergus became a refuge for Protestants running from the rebellion. This lead to the area becoming the staging ground for a counter attack and massacre of Catholics. The castle changed hands three times over the course of two years until, in 1649, Parliamentary forces held it until the restoration of the monarch in 1660.

In 1690, after the town had been taken by his forces, William of Orange came to Carrickfergus to consolidate his troops until facing and defeating his father-in-law and claiming the English throne.

In 1760, the French attacked the castle which was surrendered. The French left after stealing the silver from the castle and were attacked by a British ship near the Isle of Man. In 1768, John Paul Jones, on his ship Ranger, attacked HMS Drake near Carrickfergus.

In 1797, the castle was used as a prison for the Rebellion. This would not be the last time that it would be used as a prison. It was also used as prison in the Napoleonic wars as well as an amoury. During World War I and World War II, it was used as a garrison and an air raid shelter.

Carrickfergus Castle is now open to the public throughout the year and, I believe that the castle is well maintained. It is one of the jewels of Northern Ireland, having survived countless attacks. It would be a great opportunity to be able to visit the castle and get to know all of its charms.